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SPEAKER OF DUM 2020


Sanjay Banga, President, Tata Power

Sanjay Kumar Banga is the current President of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL). A power sector veteran with Twenty-seven years of experience in power Generation and Distribution. Mr. Sanjay Kumar Banga has been with TPDDL since July 2003. He brings with him extensive learning in Generation and Distribution operations, Selection and deployment of automation technologies for strengthening of electricity utilities to enable them to meet reliability and AT & C loss reduction target under regulatory controls. This learning, garnered through association with leading power electricity utilities in India equips him well to tackle the enormous challenges of electricity business at Delhi.

As, Vice president & Chief of Business development, Power System control, Power management, and contracts his core responsibilities are business development, Power procurement, Network Planning and Management, Engineering, Contracts &Materials Management, etc. He is Part of initial group who transformed ailing Distribution Company and now intimately involved in transforming TPDDL to become a benchmark utility by leveraging smart grid technology. The tasks at hand are optimization of CAPEX by efficient network planning & engineering, improving project Engineering and contract management by setting in place world class systems & processes. Mr. Banga firmly believes that difference between a company and competitor is the ability to execute and leader should be involved in execution as much as he involves himself in strategy planning.

Prior to joining TPDDL, Mr. Banga was with Reliance Energy (earlier known as BSES Ltd) from 1996 to July 2003, he was associated with almost the entire spectrum of Generation activity which includes Operation, Maintenance and project engineering at increasing levels of responsibility. He started his career with NTPC after graduation as engineering trainee and was in Operation & commissioning of super thermal power project from 1989 to 1995. His deep knowledge of technology & operational issues of Power sector makes him a regular speaker in seminars/workshops/panel discussions in India and abroad.

Mr. Banga is an alumnus of the National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra. He has done Management in Business administration from Faculty of Management studies (FMS), Delhi. He is Member of Bureau of Indian standard (BIS) LITD10 core committee for defining standards for power system control and communication and he is Member of India Smart grid Task force.

Mark McGranaghan, Vice President, Innovation EPRI

Mark McGranaghan is Vice President of Innovation at the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). This involves coordinating across the EPRI research sectors in areas of Technology Innovation as well as developing and implementing strategy for international coordination around all areas of innovation. Important areas of focus include EPRI’s public Thought Leadership presence, government research coordination and new technology demonstrations and challenges.

He has authored more than 70 technical papers and articles on topics ranging from power quality to insulation coordination of extra high-voltage (EHV) systems. His is an IEEE Fellow and in 2014 received the Charles Proteus Steinmetz Award for his expertise and dedication to power engineering standards development.

He is a co-author of the book, Electrical Power Systems Quality, now in its third edition, the premier textbook on power quality and compatibility since its initial release in 1996. He is a member of the executive committee of the CIGRE U.S. National Committee and Vice Chairman of the CIRED U.S. National Committee.

Mark has been with EPRI since 2003. He led EPRI research in the smart grid area and coordinated closely with government smart grid demonstrations and other efforts around the world. Prior to joining EPRI, McGranaghan was Vice President at Electrotek Concepts (1988-2003) and a Manager at McGraw-Edison/Cooper Power in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania (1978-1988).

Mark has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Toledo. He has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Mahesh Patankar, Senior Advisor and Consultant Interim India Program Director, RAP India

Mahesh Patankar provides analytical and research support to RAP’s India team on wholesale market design, innovation in tariff design, and integration of electric vehicles and renewables into the grid. He also advises the team on strategic engagements with stakeholders in Indian states, including governments, utilities, regulators, think tanks, and civil society.

Before assuming the additional role of senior advisor, Dr. Patankar developed and nurtured a niche advisory service providing cutting-edge solutions on policy, financing, and implementation in the electricity, transportation, and smart built environments. He advises the World Bank Group on water conservation in agriculture, urban, and industrial settings through leading a multi-stakeholder platform that includes the public and private sectors and civil society.

He has worked for state regulators in India as a staff consultant and for the International Institute of Energy Conservation think tank, the Asian Institute of Technology, and companies in India’s energy and environment domains. He has extensive international work experience, primarily providing energy and environmental solutions to energy economies in Southeast Asia and the southern Pacific islands and intermittently in Africa and the Mideast.

Dr. Patankar holds an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering (1991) from Shivaji University, a master’s in financial management (1997) from the University of Mumbai, and a doctorate (2006) from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, where he focused on transitions to alternative public transportation strategies linking policies and implementation.

He is fluent in English, Hindi, and Marathi and likes to test his skills at Thai.

A K Verma, Former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, GoI

Arun Kumar Verma was the former Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India. He looked after the distribution reforms and schemes like DDUGJY, IPDS, UDAY, National Smart Grid Mission, including REC & PFC in the country. Before this he was looking after Hydro and related matters. He has specialization in distribution reforms in power sector, energy management, rehabilitation of stressed projects, grid modernization, multilateral environmental negotiations, sustainable development, participatory management of natural resource and economic reforms. Under his stewardship as Managing Director during 2008-11 the Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Limited (UGVCL)- a Government owned power distribution company, has won the first prize at IEEMA Power Award 2009, India Power Awards 2009 & 2010 for best rural Electrical utility and demand side management, and ICWAI Award 2010 for Cost Management. Government of India awarded UGVCL the Gold Shield of Power Sector for the best performance of 2010-11, under his stewardship. He is an Indian Forest Service Officer of 1986 batch borne on Gujarat cadre. He has done his M.Sc in Physics and also holds M.Sc. in Forestry. He holds a doctorate on the Impact of Policy Change on Tribal Development. He did his Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy and Management from Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and has done dissertation on Indian Environmental Diplomacy. He was awarded Rashtriya Gaurav Award for his meritorious services, outstanding performance and remarkable role in 2009 by the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi.

Abhishek Ranjan, Vice President and Head Renewable DSM & EE and Energy Analytics, BSES Rajdhani Power Limited

Position/ Department/ Division/ Institution / Organization:
Additional Vice President and Head Renewable, DSM & EE and Energy Analytics, BRPL , India Head Power Scheduling (System Operator for the Utility), BSES Rajdhani Power Limited, A Power Distribution Licensee & a JV company of Reliance Infrastructure and Govt. of Delhi, India

Career History:
Abhishek has about two decades of experience in Power and Information Technology sectors in India. He started his career with Infosys Technologies Limited, an IT company based in India, where he worked on development of enterprise applications for a major US utility and a technology MNC. He is currently leading a team in the areas of Energy Efficiency & Demand Side Management, Renewable Integration and Rooftop Solar, grid level Energy Storage solutions, EV charging infrastructure, Power scheduling & demand forecasting and Energy Analytics at BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL), New Delhi. BRPL serves over 2.4 Million consumers over an area of 750 sq. Km in Southern and Western parts of national capital Territory of Delhi, India. BRPL is agile to India’s climate change goals and has made concerted efforts to align its operation with nation’s goals through several green initiatives e.g. transition of its power portfolio with ~20% of renewable share in capacity terms, DSM & EE initiatives, promotion of grid connected DERs, other non-wired alternatives like grid level battery storage etc.

Key initiatives undedtaken:
1. Launched community Rooftop Solar initiative (BRPL Solar City Initiative – focussed on residential sector) launched in Jan ’18. Over 1400 RTS net-metered connection as on date (~ 46 MWp) and counting.
2. Behavioural Energy Efficiency Program covering over 2 Lakh residential consumers in progress in partnership with Oracle Utilities commenced – first of its kind in India.
3. Launched Student Awareness program (Energy Wise Energy Rise) focussed on Climate change, Pollution and its mitigation, RE integration and energy conservation, covering about 0.1 Million students of Delhi Govt. Schools in partnership with TERI
4. Undertaking several Energy conservation and efficiency programs for consumers including Efficient cooling and lighting solutions, solar powered energy efficient pumps (grid connected), non-wired alternatives for meeting peak demand e.g. grid level battery storage in license area and faster roll out of EV charging infrastructure for public fleet as well as private owners of EV.
5. Managing Day ahead and Intra-Day (real time) power scheduling for the license area while following cost-effective multi-source power procurement strategy.BRPL met ~3100 MW peak demand in 2018.
6. Effective Statistical Demand Forecast model development for accurate prediction of day ahead demand thereby ensuring prudent procurement strategies.
7. In his earlier assignments, Abhishek has worked on Detailed Project Reports covering power project economics & financing/techno-commercial aspects, Power potential study, tariff analysis and financial closure of Hydro renewable projects in Indian Himalayan states of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Areas of expertise
Power Demand forecasting and power management (system operation functions), Capacity Building & implementation of Rooftop Solar, DSM and Energy efficiency interventions for a Utility, Consumer Outreach and management.

Education
Abhishek is a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from National Institute of Technology, Bhopal and PGDM(GM) from XLRI Jamshedpur.

Sylvain JOUHANNEAU, Electricité de France - Head of EDF International Networks India & Smart Metering India Project Director

Sylvain Jouhanneau graduated from Mines de Nancy, a French top 10 engineering universities and has been strengthening his expertise in the operation of electricity distribution networks within the EDF Group for ten years. He specialized in the development of smart grids, automation solutions and smart metering.

Maintenance and operation of primary electrical substations Sylvain Jouhanneau joined EDF group in 2009. He started managing an electricity maintenance team. He was then responsible for 18 High Voltage / Medium Voltage transformers.

Managing a Network Remote Operations Control Center Sylvain Jouhanneau was promoted to Director of the Regional Control Center for the eastern part of the Paris region. He was also in charge of promoting innovation in the region. The digital solutions - including Linky smart meter French program - he implemented helped reduce the SAIDI index (average annual outage time) from 37 minutes in 2013 to 34 minutes in 2015.

An international project director In 2016, Sylvain Jouhanneau joined EDF International Networks. He brought his expertise in smart grids to around twenty projects in 10 different countries. He works in particular in Latin America, carrying out the roadmap for the development of a smart meter program in Peru.

Since March 2019, he has been working in India and is Enedis (French Distribution System Operator) representative for IElectrix migrogrid demonstration in partnership with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited. He is also Project Director for Installation, Integration, Operation and Maintenance of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Solution for 5 million Smart Electricity Meters with GPRS- based Communication Module for EESL

Gaurav Bhatiani, Director, Energy & Environment, RTI International India

Gaurav Bhatiani is a senior energy and infrastructure expert with 24 years of experience in leadership, management, technical, and advisory positions across South Asia. Dr. Bhatiani specializes in power sector reform, infrastructure development and utility transformation. He has an extensive track record of managing large and interdisciplinary teams in energy sector reform, power trading, renewable energy, energy efficiency, business planning, investment analysis, and infrastructure financing.

At RTI, Dr. Bhatiani leads implementation of projects across sustainable development, RE, and utility turnaround in Energy, Environment, and Innovation. He is currently developing an innovative employee engagement model for a leading power distribution company in India. His current work also includes enhancing sustainability of Indian cities by finding policy, regulatory and market-based solutions for challenges such as management of construction and demolition waste, plastic waste, amongst others.

Prior to joining RTI, Dr. Bhatiani worked with the private sector during the last decade where he advised and strategized multi-billion-dollar energy and infrastructure projects, developed new businesses, conducted performance reviews and provided policy inputs to Governments and regulators across South Asia. He led teams working on investment analysis, restructuring, and mergers and acquisitions worth over $15B across the energy and associated infrastructure sectors.

Dr. Bhatiani also has deep expertise in development sector from his work in USAID/India as the Principal Energy Specialist between 2003-2010, where he managed large and complex programs in power sector reform, DSM, electricity distribution, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Dr. Bhatiani also serves as an expert faculty member and teaches regularly at leading business schools, such as the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. He is an accomplished author that has published several papers and articles. He is also a Member of several industry bodies such as CII’s National Power Committee.

G Ganesh Das , Head – Collaborations, Innovation and R&D, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited; CEO, Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC)

Dr. G. Ganesh Das is a PhD in the area of Strategic Marketing & Consumer Behaviour from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, Post Graduate in Management and LLB from University of Delhi besides having an executive qualification on Export Management from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. He is a Visiting Scholar at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and Honorary Fellow at the Centre of Urban Energy in the Faculty of Engineering and Architectural Sciences, Ryerson University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Professional experience spans around 32 years in the area of Technology Management, Collaborations & Partnership Development, Strategy Planning, Innovation Management, Consumer Management, Digital & Business Intelligence, Corporate Performance Management, Business and Market Development, customer relationship management in the area of Power, Smart Grid, Technology, Solar Renewables, Electric Vehicles Infrastructure, Automotive, Services across international geographies. Has done significant researches in the areas of consumer behaviour and strategy with papers written on the subject in international Journals. He has also co-authored a book ‘Aesthetics in Marketing’ published by Sage Publications, Los Angeles, London, New Delhi and Singapore.

He was the part of the global team involved in conceptualizing, development and enablement of “Smart Grid Maturity Model” (SGMM) whose rights now rests with Software Engineering Institute (SEI), Carnegie Mellon University (USA). One of his key areas of interest is looking at how changing technologies derives from and improves quality of consumer life with papers published in the areas of energy management technologies and strategies in the demand side management of energy. He has presented papers and participated in panel discussions in more than 50 international conference in relation to electricity distribution, energy and Smart Grid including Electric Vehicles and Renewables.

He is also involved in policy advocacy with multiple stakeholders such as NITI Aayog, Ministry of Power, Central Electricity Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Heavy Industry and Bureau of Indian Standards to develop regulations and framework for the optimised integration of the emerging technologies to the current network system.

He is also a member of the teams working on developing solutions to integrate futuristic technologies such as Utility level storage systems, Micro Grid Systems, Home Automation Systems, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure and Renewable Power Systems for the power distribution companies. The primary objective of the integrated solution is to build a scalable and cost effective model for the DISCOMs.

He is been with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) since 2005, and has held positions as Head of Consumer Accreditation Cell, Head of Strategy and Performance Management, founded and headed Smart Grid Group and rolled out one of the country’s first Advanced Metering Infrastructure with Auto Demand Response Project and a comprehensive Smart Grid Technology Roadmap for TPDDL. Until recently he was heading Strategy, Business Excellence, Collaborations and Digital & Business Intelligence. He presently holds position of Head Collaborations, Innovation and R&D at TPDDL.

He is the Chief Operating Officer of the Clean Energy International Incubation Centre (CEIIC). CEIIC is an initiative of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India and Department of Science and Technology, Government of India in collaboration with Tata Trusts, Tata Power, and Tata Power DDL. CEIIC has a mandate to catalyse disruption in the energy technology space by supporting ventures, start-ups, and innovators through incubation where we provide technical and commercial expertise, state of the art lab facilities through Tata ecosystem and our partners in academia, and seed funding for early stage start-ups. CEIIC is designed to provide state-of-the- art lab facilities and world class infrastructure, strong strategy and go-to- market support, mentorship by a curated set of the most qualified experts, specialists and sector leaders, access to test beds on the ground for trials and field testing, a gateway to a diverse and large investor ecosystem, soft landing assistance for innovations wishing to become involved in the energy ecosystem; and assistance for innovations seeking to expand in India.

PK Pujari, Chairman ,CERC

A Post Graduate in Economics from Delhi School of Economics, Shri P.K. Pujari joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), the premier civil service of India in 1981 and was allotted Gujarat cadre. During his career, he handled assignments in various departments/ministries in Gujarat as well as Central Government, such as power, commercial taxes, finance and industries. He was Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Power for more than two years before his superannuation in 2017, after serving for 36 years. Some of the key assignments in the field of finance and industries were (i) financial resource forecast, expenditure planning, annual budget preparation, debt and guarantee management; (ii) transition from sales tax to value addition tax (VAT), administration of commercial taxes by simplifying processes and making it enabled; and (iii) Setting up and marketing industrial estates and special economic zones. He worked in the power sector for more than seven years, as Director and Secretary. As Director he was involved in developing policy framework for participation of private power utilities in generation and distribution. During his tenure as Secretary (2015-17), maximum generation capacity and inter-state transmission capacity was added in the country, resulting in one nation - one grid - one price. As Secretary, he initiated and concluded a number of far-reaching initiatives and policy changes. These include electrification of all the remaining 18,452 villages (as on 1.4.2015), launching of "UDAY" for sustainable operational and financial turnaround of discoms, revised Tariff Policy 2016, new coal linkage policy for power plants, revised National Electricity Plan, XIX electricity power survey, revised- bid documents for UMPPs, revised power allocation formula for states from cg stations, formulation of new hydro-power policy, formulation of the new policy for universal households electrification by 2019, policy guidelines for integration of renewable energy into the grid, revised rules for captive generators, finalisation of the report for rationalisation of tariff structure and tariff categories. During his tenure, the guidelines for cross border trade of power with neighbouring countries got finalised.